Operator News

US – Urban One and Churchill Downs confirm Richmond project as Richmond Grand Resort and Casino

Urban One and Churchill Downs have revealed their new plans for the $562m resort, casino, and entertainment complex along with a new name; Richmond Grand Resort and Casino.

The new proposals include a 250-room luxury hotel, resort amenities, convention space, a 55-acre park, a 3,000-person entertainment arena, high-tech film and audio production facilities and local restaurants and breweries.

The project failed in a referendum by a 51 per cent to 49 per cent vote three years ago. The new resort will still be built on an industrial lot on the city’s Southside.

Alfred Liggins III, the CEO of Urban One, said: “It’s no secret that we didn’t make a winning case in 2021. I know that last go-round, we bought every billboard in the entire city, and you know, it was probably annoying. Problem is, we should have been talking to more people, as opposed to advertising to more people. We learned a lot about transparency intentionality and listening and this is a new project on all levels except the location. We have had hundreds of conversations with Richmonders.”

William C. Carstanjen, the CEO of Churchill Downs, added: “Richmond deserves a chance to vote on this project. They deserve to see the feedback that has gone into this investment to improve the offering. We did a lot of due diligence on it. We were really excited about the opportunity. We joined the project after we completed the acquisition, based on the relationship we have developed. This is a project that needs to get done in Richmond … and we put together the team that can do it. Now we just have to take our message to the citizens of Richmond and convince them, and we think we can do that.”